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FOCUS Mentorship Program

FOCUS is a structured mentorship program designed to offer first-year undergraduate students who identify as first generation college students and/or students of color (African American/Black, Arab American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Latino/Hispanic American, Native American/American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Biracial/Multiracial) the opportunity to develop relationships with NYU Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Graduate Students or other professionals who can serve as resources and/or advocates through establishing an ongoing mentoring relationship.

The program assists students in creating a foundation on NYU’s campus through; opportunities for leadership development, connecting students to The Center and other NYU resources, creating unity among all participants and ultimately support the educational and personal success of FOCUS Mentees.

FOCUS mentees and mentors are selected through an application process and are paired accordingly after each application has been reviewed. CMEP staff identify points of correlation between applicants to best match areas of support that potential mentors can provide to each student. Although the program can be a resource for career development, students are not primarily matched with mentors based on career interests. Mentors are selected to provide students with the opportunity to develop an ongoing relationship that promotes personal growth, retention, and that will continue beyond the time span of the program.

Goal of the program:

Increase the retention of students of color and first-generation college students at NYU.

FOCUS Mentorship Program Objectives:

To help students get plugged in with campus events and student clubs.

To connect students with campus resources and student services.

To develop a sense of community.

To help build strong mentor-mentee relationships.

To develop global & culturally sensitive leaders.

Program requirements (Mentees):

Participate for the full academic year.

Attend ALL FOCUS bi-monthly meetings.

Establish and maintain monthly face-to-face meetings between Mentors and Mentees.

Questions?

If you have questions about the President's Service Awards that are not addressed on this website, or you need more information about the President's Service Awards, email Amanda Gallocher at ag112@nyu.edu or call 212.998.4166.

If you have questions about the President's Service Awards that are not addressed on this website, or you need more information about the President's Service Awards, email Amanda Gallocher at ag112@nyu.edu or call 212.998.4166.

If you have questions about the President's Service Awards that are not addressed on this website, or you need more information about the President's Service Awards, email Amanda Gallocher at ag112@nyu.edu or call 212.998.4166.

Past Mentees say:

“A highlight … is the opportunity to simply talk with someone else who is willing to listen and advise the best they can with more objectivity than when discussing the same topics with close friends and family.”

“I can't say that I have any one highlight, because our meetings (in their entirety) are usually the highlights of my week.”

Mentors have said:

“I really appreciate the thoughtful programming your office provides, as well, as the many opportunities to connect with all individuals that make up our great university- student to administrator.”

“I think it’s a great program, and a good way for me, as a graduate student, to feel more a part of the NYU community.”

2014-2015 Program Dates:

Mentor Orientation: September 11th, 5:30PM - 7:00PM

Opening Reception: September 17th, 5:30PM - 7:30PM

Bi-monthly Development Meeting: November 12th, 12:00PM - 2:00PM

Bi-monthly Development Meeting: January 28th, 12:00PM - 2:00PM

Bi-monthly Development Meeting: March 26th, 12:00PM - 2:00PM

FOCUS Community Service Outing: March 28th, Time: TBD (w/ Brooklyn Community Projects)